Tow strap bag

ABSTRACT

A tow strap bag, including: a tow strap that is adapted to be used to tow objects; an open zipper coupled to the circumference of the tow strap; and wherein the tow strap is adapted to form a bag when zipping up the zipper coupled to the tow strap.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a tow strap that coverts intobag and more specifically to a tow strap with a zipper attached to itscircumference and the tow strap zips up to form a bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tow straps are used in many applications, for example to pull a vehicleout of a ditch or to get the vehicle to start, to lift a weight up ontoa platform or lower a weight down to a lower level.

In many cases the tow strap is used by a vehicle owner only in limitedcircumstances and most of the time it just collects dust or gets tangledup with other items stored by the owner. As a result sometimes when thecable is needed the owner cannot recollect where it was placed.

In some cases the vehicle owner equips the vehicle with numerous itemsthat are designated to be used in emergency, for example a tow strap, ahazard warning triangle, jumper cables, a flashlight, a jack and variousother tools. The vehicle owner may use a container to keep the itemstogether and prevent them from mixing with other items, so that theywill be readily available in case of need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of an embodiment of the invention, relates to a tow strap withan open zipper attached around the circumference of the tow strap, forexample sewn on. The zipper is positioned to enable the tow strap to bezipped up to form a bag. Optionally, the tow strap is zipped up to forma bag essentially in the form of a helix.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an extra flap extends fromthe end of the tow strap to serve as the bottom of the bag. The shape ofthe extra flap determines the shape of the bottom of the bag.Optionally, the extra flap is formed by folding over the end of the towstrap to form a U shaped end. Alternatively, an additional piece ofmaterial is attached to the end of the tow strap. The zipper is attachedalso around the extra flap. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention,the zipper initially attaches between the bottom and the end of the towstrap, wherein the tow strap creates the helix shaped walls of the bag.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fastening element such asa hook, a claw or loop is placed on one end or both ends of the towstrap to help use the tow strap to tow. Optionally, the fasteningelement may be attached directly to the tow strap or indirectly by anadditional piece of material coupled to the tow strap. In someembodiments of the invention, the same fastening element is placed onboth ends. Alternatively, a different type of fastening element isplaced on each end, for example to handle a different connection orload.

In some embodiments of the invention, the other end of the tow strapincludes an extension flap of the zipper to enable the top of the bag tobe sealed. Optionally, reflective stripes are attached to selectedpositions on the tow strap, such that when the bag is zipped up thereflective stripes form a triangle or other geometrical shapes.Optionally, the geometric shape may include only the circumference ofthe geometric shape or it may form an essentially solid geometric shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more straps may becoupled to the tow strap to serve as carrying straps for the bag. Insome embodiments of the invention, the carrying straps can be removed oradjusted.

In some embodiments of the invention, the zipper head may include afunctional apparatus, for example a flashlight, a corkscrew or acompass.

There is thus provided according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, a tow strap bag, including:

a tow strap that is adapted to be used to tow objects;

an open zipper coupled to the circumference of the tow strap; and

wherein the tow strap is adapted to form a bag when zipping up thezipper coupled to the tow strap. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the tow strap bag further comprises a flap extending from anend of the tow strap to serve as the bottom of the bag, and wherein theopen zipper surrounds the flap extending from the tow strap. Optionally,the flap is formed by folding over an end of the tow strap and fixatingit so that the folded over piece forms a U shaped end with the towstrap. Alternatively, the flap is formed by attaching an extra piece ofmaterial to the end of the tow strap. Optionally, the extra piece ofmaterial is from a different material than the tow strap. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, the zipper begins from betweenthe flap and the end of the tow strap. Optionally, the tow strap isprovided with loops to accommodate fastening elements near the ends ofthe tow strap.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tow strap bag includesa fastening element coupled to at least one end of the tow strap.Optionally, the strap bag, further comprises a fastening element coupledto both ends of the tow strap. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, the tow strap bag further comprises a flap attached to oneside of the tow strap to accommodate the fastening element withoutinterfering with the zipper coupled to the circumference of the towstrap. Optionally, the zipper extends beyond the end of the tow strapforming the top of the bag, to form an extension that is used to sealthe bag.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tow strap bag furthercomprises reflective stripes attached to selected positions on the towstrap, so that a reflective triangle is formed when zipping up the towstrap to form a bag. Optionally, the reflective triangle is anessentially solid triangle.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tow strap bag furthercomprises one or more straps coupled to at least two sequentialpositions on the tow strap to provide a carrying strap when the towstrap is zipped up into a bag. Optionally, the carrying straps areremovable or adjustable. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention,the tow strap is color coded such that the tow strength is indicated bythe color.

There is further provided according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, a method of converting a tow strap into a bag, including:

forming a bottom for the bag near one end of the tow strap;

attaching an open zipper around the circumference of the tow strap andthe bottom.

Optionally, the bottom is formed by folding over an end of the tow strapand fixating it to extend in an angle relative to the rest of the towstrap. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the bottom is formedby attaching an additional piece of material to one end of the towstrap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and better appreciated from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than onefigure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all thefigures in which they appear, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an unzipped tow strap bag,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ends of a tow strap bag,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a partially zipped tow strap bag,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a zipped up tow strap bag,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a zipped up towstrap bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of a zipped up towstrap bag, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a tow strap bag that forms ahazard warning triangle, according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a tow strap bag with carryingstraps, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an unzipped tow strap bag 100, andFIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ends of tow strap bag 100,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Optionally, towstrap bag 100 is made up from a tow strap 110 with an open zipper 120surrounding the entire circumference of tow strap 110, so that a bag canbe formed by zipping up zipper 120. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, an extra flap 130 is attached to tow strap 110 on one end toserve as a bottom 150 for tow strap bag 100. Optionally, extra flap 130is formed by folding over the end of tow strap 110 and sewing it to forma U shaped end. Alternatively, an additional piece of material may beused to form extra flap 130. Optionally, the extra material may be thesame as used for tow strap 100 or a different type of material may beused, for example tow strap 110 may be made up from canvas, nylon,plastic, woven metal or any other material that can provide enoughstrength to serve as a tow strap. Optionally, extra flap 130 may be thesame material or it may be harder or softer than the rest of the bag toform bottom 150 with a desired rigidity, since bottom 150 does not serveas part of tow strap 110. Optionally, zipper 120 begins at the bottom ofthe U shaped end between tow strap 110 and extra flap 130. Optionally, apull tab 126 is located there to pull a slider 123 that connects betweenthe part of the zipper attached to the extra flap and the part of thezipper that is attached to tow strap 110.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, zipper 120 ends at the topwith an extra zipper extension 140 to form a sealed top 160.Alternatively or additionally, top 160 may or may not include extrazipper extension 140 thus forming a sealable or non-sealable top.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a fastening element 170(e.g. a hook, a claw, a loop) is attached to both ends of tow strap 110.In some embodiments of the invention, a different type or differentshaped fastening element 170 is attached to each end of tow strap 110,or one end may not include fastening element 170. Optionally, fasteningelement 170 is attached directly to tow strap 110, for example to a loop190 provided for accommodating a fastening element near the end of towstrap 110. Alternatively, fastening element 170 may be attached to anextra strap 180 that is coupled to tow strap 110, for example by sewingthem together. Optionally, extra strap 180 is reinforced or speciallydesigned to support fastening element 170. Optionally, the use of extrastrap 180 prevents fastening element 170 from interfering with zipper120 to form tow strap bag 100 from tow strap 110.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a partially zipped tow strap bag100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, the user grasps pull tab 126 ofzipper 120 and pulls slider 123 to cause zipper 120 to connect betweentwo extensions of tow strap 110. As the zipper advances, tow strap 110wraps around extra flap 130 and forms tow strap bag 100 with extra flap130 serving as the bottom of tow strap bag 100. In some embodiments ofthe invention, extra flap 130 is shaped as a rectangle thus forming arectangular shaped bag. Alternatively, extra flap 130 may be shaped asan ellipse or circle giving the bag an ellipse or circular shape.Optionally, at the top extra zipper extension 140 is positioned to sealtow strap bag 100, when tow strap 110 reaches its end.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a zipped up tow strap bag 100,according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Optionally, towstrap bag 100 may be used as a general purpose bag to hold items for theuser. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, tow strap 110 may beprovided in various sizes. Optionally, the size is determined based onthe size of the tow strap 110 required, and taking into considerationthe desired size for the resulting bag.

In some embodiments of the invention, tow strap 110 is color coded tolet the user know at a glance what strength the tow strap may be usedfor, for example a yellow tow strap 110 may indicate that tow strap 110may be used to tow anything up to a mass of 500 Kg, and a red tow strap110 may indicate that tow strap 110 may be used for a mass greater than500 Kg, for example between 500-1000 Kg. Optionally, also zipper 120 maybe color coded, for example to indicate the volume of the bag. In someembodiments of the invention, pull tab 126 includes a functionalapparatus, for example a flashlight, a corkscrew or a compass.

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a zipped up towstrap bag 100, and FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a bottom viewof a zipped up tow strap bag 100, according to an exemplary embodimentof the invention;

Optionally, tow strap bag 100 may be used to enclose a kit of emergencyitems so that it serves a dual purpose:

a. As the container to hold the items; and

b. As a tow strap 110 that is part of the emergency items.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a tow strap bag 110 that forms ahazard warning triangle 600, according to an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the kit mayinclude tow strap 110, hazard warning triangle 600, jumper cables, aflashlight, a jack and various other tools. Optionally, when tow strapbag 110 is unzipped it can serve as tow strap 110. When it is zipped upit can serve as hazard warning triangle 600 and/or as tow strap bag 100.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, hazard warning triangle 600is made up by placing reflective strips 610 on tow strap 110 so thatwhen tow strap 110 is zipped up to form tow strap bag 100 a reflectivetriangle is formed. Optionally, the reflective strips may be adhesivelyattached to tow strap bag 100 or sewed on. Alternatively, the reflectivestrips are printed onto tow strap 110. The reflective triangle can beplaced on the road or inside a vehicle to serve as a hazard warningtriangle 600.

In some embodiments of the invention, hazard warning triangle 600 formsan essentially solid triangle as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, hazardwarning triangle 600 may form an outline of a triangle. In someembodiments of the invention, other reflective shapes may be formed toprovide other functions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a tow strap bag 100 with carryingstraps 710, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In anexemplary embodiment of the invention, carrying straps 710 are attachedto predetermined positions on tow strap 110, so that tow strap bag 100will have carrying straps 710 when it is zipped up to form a bag. Insome embodiments of the invention, carrying straps 710 may be short andserve as handles for holding the bag. Alternatively, they may be long sothat the bag can be worn over a persons shoulder.

In some embodiments of the invention, carrying straps 710 are attachedwith a non permanent attachment (e.g. a buckle 720) so that the carryingstraps may be removed when not needed, for example when using tow strap110 to pull something instead of using it to form a bag. Additionally,the size of the carrying straps 710 may be adjusted

It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatusmay be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changingthe order of steps and the type of devices used. It should beappreciated that different features may be combined in different ways.In particular, not all the features shown above in a particularembodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the invention. Furthercombinations of the above features are also considered to be within thescope of some embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the claims, which follow.

1. A tow strap bag, comprising: a tow strap that is adapted to be usedto tow objects; an open zipper coupled to the circumference of the towstrap; and wherein said tow strap is adapted to form a bag when zippingup the zipper coupled to the tow strap.
 2. A tow strap bag according toclaim 1, further comprising a flap extending from an end of the towstrap to serve as the bottom of the bag, and wherein said open zippersurrounds the flap extending from the tow strap.
 3. A tow strap bagaccording to claim 2, wherein said flap is formed by folding over an endof the tow strap and fixating it so that the folded over piece forms a Ushaped end with the tow strap.
 4. A tow strap bag according to claim 2,wherein said flap is formed by attaching an extra piece of material tothe end of the tow strap.
 5. A tow strap bag according to claim 4,wherein said extra piece of material is from a different material thanthe tow strap.
 6. A tow strap bag according to claim 2, wherein saidzipper begins from between the flap and the end of the tow strap.
 7. Atow strap bag according to claim 1, wherein said tow strap is providedwith loops to accommodate fastening elements near the ends of the towstrap.
 8. A tow strap bag according to claim 1, further comprising afastening element coupled to at least one end of the tow strap.
 9. A towstrap bag according to claim 8, further comprising a fastening elementcoupled to both ends of the tow strap.
 10. A tow strap bag according toclaim 8, further comprising a flap attached to one side of the tow strapto accommodate the fastening element without interfering with the zippercoupled to the circumference of the tow strap.
 11. A tow strap bagaccording to claim 1, wherein said zipper extends beyond the end of thetow strap forming the top of the bag, to form an extension that is usedto seal the bag.
 13. A tow strap bag according to claim 1, furthercomprising reflective stripes attached to selected positions on said towstrap, so that a reflective triangle is formed when zipping up the towstrap to form a bag.
 14. A tow strap bag according to claim 13, whereinsaid reflective triangle is an essentially solid triangle.
 15. A towstrap bag according to claim 1, further comprising one or more strapscoupled to at least two sequential positions on the tow strap to providea carrying strap when said tow strap is zipped up into a bag.
 16. A towstrap bag according to claim 15, wherein said carrying straps areremovable or adjustable.
 17. A tow strap bag according to claim 1,wherein said tow strap is color coded such that the tow strength isindicated by the color.
 18. A method of converting a tow strap into abag, comprising: forming a bottom for the bag near one end of the towstrap; attaching an open zipper around the circumference of the towstrap and the bottom.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein saidbottom is formed by folding over an end of the tow strap and fixating itto extend in an angle relative to the rest of the tow strap.
 20. Amethod according to claim 18, wherein said bottom is formed by attachingan additional piece of material to one end of the tow strap.